SOUTH AFRICA TOUR OF AUSTRALIA, 2022-23
Pat Cummins pointed out that there wasn’t much assistance for the spinners at the SCG © AFP
Despite Australia’s best efforts with the ball on the final day, South Africa eked out a draw in the third and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Due to persistent rain, only 280.5 overs were bowled in the Test, as South Africa finished with 106 for 2 at stumps after being made to follow-on.
With Australia having already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series, there seemed to be more interest surrounding the upcoming four-match Test rubber against India in India. So was the final day’s play an audition for the forthcoming series, especially with the second spinner?
Cummins pointed out that there wasn’t much assistance for the spinners to simulate the likely conditions that Australia could encounter in India, although he praised spinner Ashton Agar for keeping it tight through the course of the game.
“It wasn’t an audition at all (for the India series),” Cummins said on Sunday (January 8). “This wicket is a bit different to India. It wasn’t spinning out of the middle of the wicket. Indian wickets sometimes really break up even from the middle of the wicket. And left-arm orthodox becomes really effective against right-handed batters. It was 800 runs and three wickets for spin for the game.
“So it wasn’t easy for the spinners but I thought he (Agar) bowled really well,” he added.
Ahead of the India series, the Australian seamers also got the opportunity to work on their skills with the old ball. Cummins commended his pace colleague Josh Hazlewood for tweaking his release points and finding swing with the old ball.
“It’s always good to have a bit of game practice. We can practice as much as we can in the nets, but doing it in the middle, there’s no better practice than that. Josh the way he bowled the whole game, and especially with that reversing ball and the way he can change his action and control the seam is fantastic. I took a little bit out of it myself.”
Cummins also observed that Australia have adapted quite well to different conditions over the last 12 months, and they are well-prepared to take on India in their own backyard in spin-friendly conditions. Incidentally, Australia went on to win the Test series in Pakistan 1-0 and then drew a Test series in Sri Lanka.
“I think we’ve given ourselves the best chance. Another fantastic summer. This bowling attack, weathering the storm at the Gabba and MCG and then coming here, it is different again. The way our batting group has stood up, it has been fantastic. And other than this game in a shortened time frame, we’ve been able to get 20 wickets each Test match in different circumstances.
“I feel like we are adapting really well. Having Tests in Pakistan and Sri Lanka last year have put us in really good stead for India. No one is going over there blind. Use the next few weeks to reflect on the past 12 months and get over there refreshed and eager. Where as good of a chance as we’re ever going to be.”
What about Australia’s bowling combination for the series in India? Cummins said that they might have to tweak their combinations depending on the wicket they would play on. If Cameron Green gets back to full fitness, it gives Australia an extra seam-bowling option. So, that could mean opening up another slot for a spinner. Three of Australia’s batters – Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Travis Head – also provide the side with useful spin bowling options.
“Cam Green bats at No.6 so you have three quick bowlers which is a bit of a luxury as it is. Each game in India we might need to chop up differently. Maybe one game it is three quicks, another it is one quick,” he noted. “Again over there, you pick two spinners you think it is going to be quite a spinning wicket. Travis Head, Marnus, Smudge. They all come into it a bit more. Generally if you’re picking two spinners you’re not expecting it to be a long game.”
Alongside Green, Mitchell Starc has also been laid low by a finger injury. Cummins was quite optimistic of Starc making it to the tour. Although he suggested that he may not be fit in time for the first Test of the series in Nagpur.
“Starcy is all on track. Still early days. He still has a finger in a splint for four or five weeks. Then hopefully get back up and bowling pretty quickly. I think he will struggle for the first Test over there. Hoping Test 2 or 3 over there is realistic. Still in the gym trying to bowl, without bowling, to keep the transition as smooth as possible when he does have to.”
© Cricbuzz
